A week later in the morning, Beijing.
The warm sun of the autumn-winter season shone in through the window, casting a golden glow on the sheets, making one feel relaxed and happy. It was another beautiful morning. Luo Zheng slightly opened his eyes, looked at the sunshine outside the window, and felt an incomparable peace within. For many, this life, away from the battlefield and far from the smoke of war, might seem ordinary, but for Luo Zheng, it was extrely precious.
The evening before, Luo Zheng returned ho and reunited with his parents, enjoying a delicious al his mom cooked. He drank quite a bit with his father, Luo Hu, and managed to relax without worrying about enemies suddenly appearing or being snipered. This peaceful day was sothing Luo Zheng greatly enjoyed. Unfortunately, his little sister wasn't ho; otherwise, it would have been even livelier.
Mrs. Luo prepared breakfast and was about to wake up Luo Zheng when Luo Hu stopped her. As a forr veteran, Luo Hu knew well what those returning from the battlefield yearn for the most. However, Luo Zheng's keen hearing caught their subtle conversation, warming his heart, feeling secure and content, but he didn't laze in bed. After getting up, tidying himself, and dressing neatly, he ca to the living room.
The living room was spacious, and the house was no longer the rented apartnt they had before but a new purchase. While Luo Zheng was away on missions, the house had been renovated. Unable to reach Luo Zheng, and reluctant to continue renting, his parents had moved in on their own. The house was simply decorated; having endured hardships for most of their lives, the couple wasn't inclined towards luxury or opulence. The simple decor carried a natural charm.
Luo Zheng liked this kind of style—unrestrained, comfortable, and free. The family of three sat together, having breakfast and chatting for a while. Mrs. Luo reminded, "You promised to visit your little sister at her school today. Don't forget."
"I know. I'll head over after breakfast," Luo Zheng replied heartily, stuffing food into his mouth.
Mrs. Luo laughed and scolded, "Look at you in such a rush. You're at ho, not the army, take it slow, don't choke on your food, so big now but still worrying us."
"It's fine," Luo Zheng laughed nonchalantly, yet he deeply enjoyed his mother's caring words. What might seem like nagging to others, felt like rare happiness to Luo Zheng. Each ti he left, it was for a long duration. When at peace, he particularly longed to hear his parents' nagging.
After filling up, Luo Zheng tidied up a bit, greeted his parents, and headed out. Outside the housing area, he hailed a taxi, and in just over ten minutes, the taxi arrived at the entrance of Beijing University. Luo Zheng got out, and upon seeing his youthful appearance, the security guards mistook him for a student and didn't bother asking questions. Luo Zheng walked along the main road, the campus was vast, filled with young n and won gathered in groups of three or five, laughing under the sun and walking in the shade of the trees.
Watching this scene moved Luo Zheng. Enabling these students to study peacefully as a soldier felt worthwhile. Luo Zheng slowly walked forward, enjoying himself, observing the satisfied smiles of these young students, he too felt especially at ease. After a while, he casually asked soone for directions to his sister's departnt and quickened his pace.
Soon, Luo Zheng arrived at a cluster of academic buildings. Checking his watch, he noted it was ti for his sister's class, not wanting to disturb, he found a bench and sat down, leaning back, slightly closing his eyes to face the sun. Taking deep breaths, he felt this life was very solid, very real, but unfortunately, not his own—only temporarily enjoyable.
People occasionally passed by, casting curious glances at Luo Zheng, puzzled as to why this guy was basking in the sun here. Luo Zheng's unique aura intrigued people. A girl couldn't help but approach and curiously asked, "Sitting here under such a big sun, are you sick?"
"Big sun?" Luo Zheng opened his eyes in surprise and asked back. This bit of sunlight was pure enjoynt for Luo Zheng. Sunbathing at a desert's fifty to sixty-degree heat was what he called basking, this was at most only twenty-five to twenty-six degrees; it felt just right?
"You're really strange. You're tanned and glowing, must sunbathe a lot. Which departnt are you from? You can't be from our Business Administration departnt, I've never seen you before, are you a freshman?" the girl eagerly inquired.
"Just wanted to audit a class, but got kicked out by the teacher." Luo Zheng rarely joked.
"Oh, you're not from our school?" the girl expressed so disappointnt.
"Little Yuer, what are you doing?" A pleasant voice ca from beside, the tone quickly changing to surprise, excitedly exclaiming, "Brother? Why didn't you call, how long have you been waiting?"
"No worries, I just had a nap." Luo Zheng happily replied, seeing his little sister.
"So I woke you?" The girl who had just walked away spat with so discontent, looking at the little sister with a puzzled face and asked, "Brother? Who is this person to you?"
"He's my brother," the little sister replied with a sweet smile, and seeing the girl's curious eyes, she suddenly rolled her eyes, took Luo Zheng's arm, leaned over, and said mischievously, "He's the boyfriend I've always ntioned. Isn't he handso?"
"He's indeed handso, just a bit tanned," the girl said, full of surprise.
"That's called healthy, you wouldn't understand," the little sister dismissed with a smile. "Brother, let's go. I'll show you around."
Luo Zheng keenly sensed his sister's intent, carelessly acting as her shield. As long as his sister was happy, Luo Zheng was willing to do anything, naturally he'd play along and replied, "Alright, let's go."
"Is he really your boyfriend?" the girl just now asked in shock.
"Of course, there wouldn't be any fake. So, Little Yuer, don't worry about that boy chasing . I'm already taken and not interested in him. You're at ease now, right? No need to suspect my friends," the little sister earnestly clarified.
"Alright, I'll let you lovebirds be. Little sis, thank you, if you're free at noon, let treat you two to lunch," the girl quickly offered.
"You'll have to ask him," the little sister teased, looking at Luo Zheng and winking.
Luo Zheng, understanding, said, "Today is my birthday, and I'd like to spend it with just the two of us, maybe another ti. Thank you for your offer."
After the girl left, the little sister sighed with relief, patting her chest she chuckled, "Brother, you reacted so fast. If you'd slipped up, it would've been troubleso. She's my good friend. Lately, her boyfriend's been giving attention, making it seem like I'm trying to steal him. Do I, with my stunning beauty, need to take her leftovers? We're in the sa class, no need to make things awkward, right? This solved all my troubles, thanks to you, my protective brother."
"Just don't bla later when you struggle to find an actual boyfriend," Luo Zheng said half-jokingly.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing, still early anyway. Wait a few more years to start dating." The little sister laughed nonchalantly, clutching Luo Zheng's arm as they walked on, "Brother, let's tour the campus and let my classmates see our legendary embarrass them into giving up."
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